Hop plant named ‘Summit’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of hop is described and which is characterized principally as to novelty by being semi-dwarf in stature; and which further produces cones having a high percentage of alpha-acids, high alpha/beta ratio and excellent storage stability of alpha-acids.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety of hop ‘Humulus lupulus L’ and which has been denominated varietally, hereinafter, as ‘Summit’.

ORIGIN

Hops are grown commercially and are principally used in the brewing industry to add bitterness and flavor to beverages such as beer. Lupulin glands found inside female hop cones provide the resins and essential oils which are the primary component of the hop flavor which is imparted to such beverages.

New hop varieties are typically evaluated for their growing characteristics, hop cone yields, disease resistance, and the chemical composition of the resins and essential oils contained within the hop cone glands. As should be understood, only female hop plants produce cones containing the lupulin glands, and thus only female hop plants have any significant commercial value.

The present hop plant was derived from a multitude of hop plants resulting from a controlled cross-pollination which was conducted during the summer of 2000. The aforementioned cross-pollination was performed between a non-patented, female hop plant owned by the inventor, and commonly referred to as ‘Lexus’; with a non-patented, male hop plant. The female parent ‘Lexus’ had previously been derived from a controlled cross-pollination which was conducted during the summer of 1999. In this regard, the female parent ‘Lexus’ was derived from a cross-pollination conducted between the female hop plant ‘Zeus’ which is commercially available, and non-patented; and a non-patented male hop plant designated as USDA 19058 m. The male parent had resulted from an earlier controlled cross-pollination conducted during the summer of 1999 between the female hop plant ‘Zeus’, first mentioned, above; and a non-patented male hop plant which is named ‘(Nugget X open)_(m)’ and which was owned by the inventor. This same male hop plant was earlier selected from a number of seedlings arising from the seeds which were collected from the Nugget hop cones. The Nugget hop cones had been pollinated and originated from a commercial hop field which is located near Harrah, Wash.

The controlled cross-pollination program resulting in the creation of the new hop variety of the present application was performed during the 2000 growing season by the inventor at his personal residence which is located in Yakima, Wash. The inventor discovered the new variety of hop during the 2001 growing season among the numerous hop plants then growing at his residence, and which had been germinated from seeds resulting from the above described controlled cross-pollination program. The seeds from the cross-pollination first referenced, above, were planted in the inventor's greenhouse during January, 2001. Thereafter, the most vigorous plants resulting from the aforementioned cross-pollination were selected and planted by the inventor in his experimental hop field which is located in Yakima, Wash. These plants were grown on twine attached to a 10 foot high trellis during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons.

Subsequent chemical analysis and field observations made in 2002 and thereafter revealed the new hop plant ‘Summit’ had an unusually high percentage of alpha acids; short internode lengths which indicated a semi-dwarf characteristic; a lack of powdery mildew; and a reasonably projected per acre cone yield when grown on a low trellis. During the 2003 growing season, the ‘Summit’ hop plant was grown in two geographically different locations with no powdery mildew observed. Further, the production of alpha-acids were quite high as calculated at both locations. The plants growing at the two different geographical locations constituted the first asexual reproduction of the present variety. Based upon the field observations performed, and the chemical and analytical data collected during testing and evaluation of the variety during the 2002-2005 growing seasons, it appears that the second and third generation ‘Summit’ hop plants demonstrate genetic stability with respect to the new variety's novel characteristics of unusually high alpha-acids yields; very high alpha/beta ratios; excellent storage stability of alpha acids; and powdery mildew resistance.

In relative comparison to the unpatented commercially available ‘Zeus’ variety, the present variety ‘Summit’ is considered to be a semi-dwarf which makes it a better prospect for growth on low trellis arrangements. Further, the variety ‘Summit’ is resistant to the powdery mildew strains found in the Yakima Valley, and has much better storage stability of alpha acids and has a higher alpha/beta acid ratio in comparison to the variety ‘Zeus.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are provided are color photographs of the present variety.

FIG. 1 shows several whole cones of the present variety.

FIG. 2 depicts a mature vine leaf of the present variety.

FIG. 3 depicts the growing characteristics of the present variety when grown on a low trellis (approximately 10 ft.).

The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in color representations of this type. Due to chemical development and processing and printing, the leaves, and cones depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society), and descriptions provided hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the details of this new and distinct variety of hop plant, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Moxee, Wash. All major color code designations are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart, 4^(th) Edition provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

PLANT

-   -   -   Generally.—Considered semi-dwarf, and maintaining a height             of approximately 14 to 16 feet. The present variety is a             perennial producing annual climbing bines and a perennial             crown. The present variety does not self-pollinate.         -   Bines.—Growth characteristic — Bines of the present variety             climb in a clockwise direction with the aid of tricomes.         -   Bine.—Color — Green, (RHS 146C). The color of the bine is             not distinctive of the present variety. Further, six light             brownish purple stripes typically appear on the bine.         -   Bine.—Thickness — The bine of a mature hop plant may have a             dimension of about ⅜ to about ½ of an inch in thickness when             measured at a distance of approximately 6 feet above ground             level.         -   Laterals.—Position — Considered caulous and substantially             evenly spaced along the main bine. Laterals of the present             variety grow from auxiliary buds at each node along the main             bine.         -   Laterals.—Growth Habit — Generally speaking, Laterals grow             from auxiliary buds at each node along the main bine.             Inflorescences develop from axils of the Laterals. Each             inflorescence becomes a hop cone at maturity.         -   Laterals.—Length — Considered shorter than most commercial             varieties. The typical lateral length ranges from about 18             to about 30 inches.         -   Internodes.—Length — The present variety has internode             lengths of approximately 1½ to about 4 inches. Typically,             laterals will have approximately 6 to about 8 internodes             each.         -   Stems. —Generally — The annual stems of the present variety             grow from the crown and rhizomes of the plant in early             Spring and twine around suitable supports.         -   Dormancy.—Generally — The present hop variety emerges from             dormancy approximately one week later than the commercial             variety ‘Zeus’ (unpatented); and approximately one week             earlier than the variety ‘Galena’ (unpatented) at the same             geographical location. In this regard, the commercial             variety ‘Zeus’ (unpatented) emerges approximately the third             or fourth week of March at the same geographical location in             Washington, while ‘Galena’ does not emerge until the first             week of April.         -   Shoot growth rate.—Generally — Considered average when             compared against other common commercial varieties. The             present variety, however, is slower than the hop variety             ‘Nugget’ (unpatented) at the same geographical location.         -   Vine stems.—Shape — Generally considered to be hexagonal.         -   Vine stems.—Color — Green with the corners of the hexagonal             shaped vine having a light purplish brown stripe similar to             the commercial variety ‘Zeus’ (unpatented). This color,             however, appears less pronounced. This purplish brown color             is not particularly distinctive of the present variety.         -   Stems.—Growth — Average, as compared to other commercial             varieties.         -   Stems.—Size — Typically about ⅜ inch in diameter when             measured approximately 6 feet above ground level.         -   Cultural measures.—Generally — The present variety is             considered to be a low trellis vine which self-trains, that             is, the vines are allowed to grasp support strings to begin             upward growth. The present variety, as a general matter, can             reach the top of a low trellis in approximately 4 weeks             after self-training which typically occurs in late May. In             the event that the variety is grown on a conventional high             trellis, early May training may be required. Low trellis             heights stand typically at approximately 10 feet and normal             trellis heights are typically about 18 feet.         -   Stipule growth direction.—Generally — Considered to be             downward.         -   Plant shape.—Generally — Columnar on low trellis             arrangements. Fusiform when grown on high trellis             arrangements.

LEAVES

-   -   -   Leaves.—Generally — The leaves of the ‘Summit’ variety are             borne in pairs at each node on the main bine.         -   Leaves.—Position — Considered opposite.         -   Stipules.—Location — Typically at the petiole base of each             leaf.         -   Stipules.—Arrangement — Considered interpetiolar.         -   Leaves.—Size — Considered average as compared to other             common varieties.         -   Leaf.—Width — Approximately 6-7 inches in width.         -   Leaf. —Shape — Cordate and having 3-5 palmate lobes and             further having palmate venation.         -   Leaf margin. —Shape — Slightly serrated, and moderately             dentate.         -   Sinus-Clefts.—Shape — Considered moderately cut.         -   Leaf color.—Upper surface — Dark Green (RHS 137A).         -   Leaf color.—Lower surface — Lighter Green (RHS 137C).         -   Leaf petiole. —Color — Green (RHS 146C).         -   Leaf petiole.—Color — Upper surface only — Green (RHS 146C).             This green coloration is distinctly different from that of             the ‘Zeus’ hop plant (unpatented) which displays a purple             shading on the upper side of the petiole.         -   Leaf petiole.—Position — Extends from the main bine at             approximately 90 degree angle and is slightly reflexed.         -   Petioles.—Shape — Slightly channeled and having a flat             surface on the upper surface.         -   Leaves.—Upper surface texture — Rough. As a general matter,             stiff fine hairs appear on the upper surface of the leaf.             This creates a dull appearance and a rough texture.         -   Surface characteristics.—Lower surface of leaf — Many             disc-shaped yellowish resin glands appear on the lower             surface.

CONES

-   -   -   Generally. —Inflorescences of the present variety ‘Summit’             begin to appear on the bines in early July and mature during             the second to third week of September under the ecological             conditions prevailing in Central Washington. As the             respective inflorescences mature, they form a cone-like             structure or strobile and which is best seen in FIG. 1.         -   Form.—the present variety develops inflorescence on a             cranked axis and typically in even pairs, or clusters. The             cones on the present variety develop on laterals from the             top of the plant to a location approximately 24 inches above             ground level.         -   Strig.—Generally — Considered compact with a model diameter.         -   Aroma.—Generally — Considered moderate, but pleasant.         -   Cone length.—Approximately 1.25 to about 1.40 inches when             grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in Central             Washington.         -   Cone tip.—Shape — Bluntly pointed.         -   Cone shape.—Ovoid in shape.         -   Compactness.—Considered tight and semi-dense for the present             variety.         -   Bract tip.—Shape — Considered cuspidate.         -   Bracteole.—Shape — Considered acute to deltoid.         -   Central rachis.—Form — Compact, but not considered as thick             as compared to the strig of the common commercial variety             ‘Zeus’ (unpatented).         -   Lupulin glands.—Numbers — The cone of the present variety             contains numerous lupulin glands. In this regard, it should             be understood that average numbers of glands are usually             impossible to quantify. The numbers of lupulin glands will             vary from year to year based upon the weather and a             multitude of other environmental and cultural factors.             Further, it should be understood that there are a large             number of individual glands in each cone, and significant             variations between cones on the same plant. Generally             speaking, it is clear that the present variety has numerous             glands because it is characterized as a high alpha variety.         -   Date of maturity.—considered to be middle to late as             compared to other common hop varieties grown in Central             Washington.         -   Cone shape.—Uniformity — Considered uniform.         -   Harvestability.—Generally — The hop cones of the present             variety ‘Summit’ are well adapted for mechanical harvesting             because of their compactness and ovoid shape. The cones of             the present variety are not shattered during harvest.         -   Lupulin glands. —Shape — Considered globular and having a             golden yellow color (RHS 2A) which is not particularly             distinctive of the present variety. This color is somewhat             variable based upon environmental, and other cultural             practices.         -   Bract tip position.—Considered appressed, however some             bracts are slightly everted at full maturity.         -   Yield per acre.—Approximately 2,000 to about 2,300 pounds on             average. However, this yield is contingent upon temperature,             soil conditions and cultural practices and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Cone bracteole.—Color — Green (RHS 145A).         -   Cone bract.—Color — Green (RHS 145C).

ANALYTICAL DATA OF THE CONES

-   -   -   Generally.—The analytical data as provided hereinafter of             the cones have been gathered from cones having a cone             moisture of approximately 8%.         -   Percentage of alpha-acids as calculated in a base.—About             18-19% as determined by the ASBC Spectrophotometric method.         -   Percentage of beta-acids as calculated in a             bale.—Approximately 3.3-4.3% as calculated by the ASBC             Spectrophotometric method.         -   Alpha/beta acid ratio.—About 5.0 to about 6.0.         -   Cohumulone (%of alpha-acids).—About 32.5%.         -   Colupulone (% of beta-acids).—Approximately 54%.         -   Storage characteristics.—The cones of the present variety             experience a 12% transformation of alpha acids after about 6             months of storage at 22° C. In relative comparison to other             common varieties, this rate of transformation is less than             the best storing high alpha acid commercial varieties such             as ‘Galena’ and ‘Nugget’ (both unpatented).         -   Total oil content.—About 1.5 milliliters per 100 grams.         -   Humulene (%of total oils).—Approximately 15%.         -   Caryophyllene (% of total oils).—Approximately 10%.         -   Humulene/caryophyllene ratio.—Approximately 1.5.         -   Farnesene (% of total oils).—0.         -   Myrcene (%of total oils).—Approximately 485.         -   Lupulin (%of total cone weight).—Approximately 30%.         -   Ploidy. —The genetic make up of ‘Summit’ is diploid. In this             regard, the mother is diploid and the father is diploid.         -   Disease resistance. —The variety ‘Summit’ appears to be             moderately susceptible to hop downy mildew fungus. ‘Summit’             appears to be resistant to the strains of powdery mildew             fungus typically found in the Yakima Valley of Central             Washington. ‘Summit’ also appears tolerant to strains of             Verticillium Wilt and other virus diseases found in U.S.             growing areas. This variety also appears tolerant to the             major soil borne pests that affect hops including             Phytophthora root rot.         -   Regional adaptation. —The ‘Summit’ variety of hop appears to             be adapted to the drier growing regions of Washington State,             especially the Yakima Valley of Central Washington.         -   Life expectancy. —Unknown.

Although the new variety of hop possesses the desired characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in the Yakima Valley of Central Washington, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changing and growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of hop substantially is illustrated and described and which is characterized principally as to novelty by being semi-dwarf in nature; having a high percentage of alpha-acids, high alpha/beta ratio and excellent storage stability of alpha-acids; and which is mature for harvesting approximately 10 to 20 September under the ecological conditions prevailing in the Yakima Valley of Central Washington. 